10 Great Ways to Use Geranium Essential Oil

Geranium oil is a versatile and affordable essential oil, which means you can make a wide variety of all-natural concoctions from skin care to home care. Although you can use this oil as an additive to many of your existing products, I’ve come up with ten from-scratch recipes that really take advantage of the benefits of this oil and help your skin to glow and your home to smell fresh and clean.

Acne Treatment

Geranium oil is less expensive than many acne treatments and completely natural. Its antimicrobial properties will prevent blemish-causing bacteria from wreaking any further havoc in your pores. You can use a cotton swab or cotton ball to gently dab your blemishes with a small amount of geranium oil after washing your face.

Detoxifying Facial Steam

Steam can help to open your pores before using any kind of facial wash or mask. This allows impurities to be more easily and completely purged from your pores. Steam can also be soothing to your upper respiratory system and keep nasal passages hydrated. For a relaxing and beneficial treatment, boil water in a pot or kettle and then pour it into a bowl that is about as wide as your face. Add about 10 to 15 drops of geranium oil and place your face over the steaming bowl. Put a towel over your head and bowl to trap the steam. Continue treatment for about 10 minutes for maximum effect.

DIY Body Lotion

Ingredients:

½ cup Carrier Oil (I really like Jojoba oil best for this, but you can choose what you like)

¼ cup Beeswax Pastilles

¼ cup Coconut Oil

¼ cup Shea Butter

1 tsp. Vitamin E Oil

10 – 15 drops Geranium Oil

Heat your carrier oil, beeswax pastilles, coconut oil, and shea butter in a double boiler or using a glass bowl over a pot of simmering water. Stir until they are melted together and combined thoroughly. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool for a few minutes before adding the vitamin E oil and geranium oil. Stir thoroughly and store in a glass jar at room temperature. You could keep this for yourself or put a ribbon on it and gift it to a friend!

DIY Shampoo For Dry Hair

Ingredients:

¼ cup Coconut Milk

½ cup Pure Aloe Vera Gel

10 drops Geranium Oil

This one is really easy! Combine the ingredients and whisk together. You will have to store this in your refrigerator because it is perishable. Use the same amount as you would any other shampoo and work into scalp and hair. This formula doesn’t lather, so just work through and leave on for a few minutes before rinsing. I like to keep mine in a condiment squirt bottle for easier use, but be sure to label it so nobody mistakes your shampoo for salad dressing. If you like this shampoo, also check out this article about 5 essential oil gift ideas.

Exfoliating Body Scrub

Ingredients:

½ cup Sugar (You can use whatever kind of sugar you like for this as long as it is granulated)

½ cup Carrier Oil (Any of the carrier oils will work well for this. You could even use olive oil if that is all you have on hand)

10 – 15 drops Geranium Oil

Combine the ingredients until they form a fragrant paste, and use anywhere you need extra exfoliation. I really like this for my feet, knees, and elbows. What I particularly like about using geranium oil in a scrub is that the antimicrobial properties of the oil are very good for keeping your freshly revealed skin from being immediately exposed to germs and preventing any micro abrasions from becoming infected. Overzealous scrubbing can result in ingrown hairs and body acne, so remember to scrub gently.

Antifungal Foot Cream

Add 20 drops of geranium oil to a ¼ cup of coconut oil for an intensive foot treatment either before having to be in boots or shoes all day or after. The compounds in the geranium oil will prevent a fungal infection from taking hold or help to heal an existing one. The coconut oil will moisturize skin and allow better absorption.

Soothing Salve For Bug Bites

Ingredients:

⅛ cup Beeswax Pastilles

¼ cup Shea Butter

15 drops Geranium Oil

15 drops Tea Tree Oil

Melt together the beeswax pastilles and shea butter using a double boiler or glass bowl over a simmering pot of water. Once combined, remove the mixture from heat and add both oils. Pour into a small shallow jar or another container, and allow to set at room temperature. Both the tea tree oil and geranium oil have antimicrobial properties which will help to stave off infection. The geranium oil will also reduce swelling and quickly minimize the itch.

Natural Bug Repellant

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons Witch Hazel

3 tablespoons Carrier Oil

30 drops Tea Tree Oil

30 drops Eucalyptus Oil

50 drops Geranium Oil

Combine all of the ingredients into a small spray bottle and shake vigorously. Please remember to reapply the bug repellant every few hours and to shake the bottle well before each use. You can use a permanent marker to write directly on the spray bottle what is inside and directions for application as well so there aren’t any mix-ups.

Carpet Refresher

I love using this carpet refresher as part of my weekly cleaning routine, but you can use this as often as you like whenever you vacuum your carpet. Put one cup of baking soda and 30 drops of geranium oil in a sealable container. Make sure that your container is completely sealed and shake for a few minutes until the oil is evenly distributed throughout the baking soda. Sprinkle your carpet refresher evenly over the carpet and allow to sit about 30 minutes before vacuuming. The scent of the geranium oil is unappealing to pests and the compounds in the oil inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungus, which means your carpet will smell fresh and be a cleaner, safer environment for bare feet.

Linen Spray

Slipping into bed or nestling onto the couch amid the clean floral scent of geraniums helps to put your mind at ease, and it’s easy to have every day.

Ingredients:

½ cup Witch Hazel

¼ cup Vodka

15 drops Geranium Oil

Combine all ingredients into a spray bottle and shake before applying to bed linens, throw pillows and blankets, drapes and upholstered surfaces. Your entire house will smell fresh and clean!

I hope you have fun making your own products from fresh ingredients and enjoy the benefits of geranium essential oil in your home and on your skin every day.

About the author

Sally Wong

Sally Wong is a manual therapist for about 15 years now and also a massage specialist. She is actively taking care of her body to stay healthy and in shape by doing Yoga and Tai Chi. She has a lot of knowledge and interest in Essential Oils because of her Oriental background. She learnt many things from her Grandmother. Originally from a small village in South China, now she lives in Vancouver, Canada.